Humidostat



E. J. RoHNE HUMIDCSTAT Filed July l2, 1934 Dec. 22, 1936.

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INVENTOR ATTORNEYS E. J. ROHNE Dec. 22, 1936.

HUMIDosTAT Filed July l2, 1934 m M5 if 5. e 53 0 ma HV1@ myx l W A m -1- 27%l w 8. .ww 5m I hM/m/ www Patented Dec. 22, 1936 PATENT OFFICE HUBHDOSTAT vEven J. Roline, Minneapolis, Minn., assgnor to George G. Struthers, Minneapolis, Minn.

VApplication July 12, 1934, Serial No. 734,830

21 Claims.

This invention relates to a huxnidostat or an instrument for responding to differences in humidity in a living or other room. It is now considered quite important and is quite common to regulate the humidity in rooms in which people are located, by supplying moisture thereto when the `humidity is low. Such moisture supplying devices must ber regulated and it is necessary to have a humidostat for regulating the same which is quite delicate and will respond to small differences in the humidity, and which will have a positive movement so that it can regulate the humidier. Such regulation is usually accomplished by having the humidostat makey and break an electric circuit. It is also desirable that a humidostat have means for indicating the relative humidity so that the humidity in the room can be knownby observing such means.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a simple, delicate, accurate and positively acting humidostat which' wm respond w small differences in the degree of humidity.

It is a further object" of the invention to prol vide a no vel method of constructing such a humidostat.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a simple and efficient humidostat comprising any elongated member made of hard wood, having the fiber of the wood running transversely thereof, one side of said member being sealed against contact with the air by a flexible and extensible means, and one end of said member being rigidly held so that said member will flex with changes in humidity.

It is still vanother object of the invention to provide a humidos'tat comprising an elongated piece of hard wood, especially treated to x the ber, one side of said member being sealed by having secured thereto a flexible and extensible means impervious to moisture, said member being xed a|t one end. and free at its other end, preferably having a metallic rod extending lengthwise thereof, said member carrying means atv its upper end to engage contacts at either side thereof, whereby when said member is flexed Y it will engage and disengage said contact, said contacts being arranged to operate an electrical circuit.

Itis a further object of the invention to provide a humidostat havinga casing, an elongated member adapted to flex with variations in the humidity secured 'adjacent one end in said casing, a second member secured to said member at its free end and extending alongside f the same in spaced relation thereto and reversely disposed as to its flexing characteristics, said last mentioned member carrying an electrical contact adapted to engage and disengage .an electrical contact carried by said first mentioned member.

It is also an object to provide such a device as set forth in the preceding paragraph, said casing having an indicating means thereon actuatd by the flexing of said first mentioned member, means also being just the position of said first mentioned member.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a structure as set forth in the two preceding paragraphs, said second mentioned contact being adjustable from without said casing and said last mentioned means being accessible for manipulation from Without said casing.

These and other objects and advantages ofthe invention will be fully set forth in the following description made inv connection with the accomzo panying drawings, in which like reference characters vrefer to similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the device;

Fig. ,2 is a. top. plan view;

Fig. 3 is a view similar toFlg. 1 and partly in vertical section showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3; I

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of a modified form of the device including a casing; Fig. 6 is a view of the device in rear elevation with the rear cover of the casing removed;

Fig. I is a vertical section taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 6 as indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on line 8--8 of' Fig. 6 as indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, a device is shown 40 comprising a base member l0. While this base member may be variously made of different kinds of material, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is Ashown as formed of a l rectangular piece of metal. Angle brackets Il are secured to the base member l0 adjacent one end thereof, and an elongated flexible member i2 is rigidly secured between the upstanding ends of brackets Il by some suitable -means such as a headed and nutted lbolt i3. The member l2 comprises a bar I2a and a. layer of material iZb at onev side thereof. While the member I2a may be made of various shapes, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as trapezcidal inhorizontal cross section, with 55 preferably provided to ad- 10 y the parallel sides of the trapezoid as the sides of the bar, and the converging sides as the front and rear. The bar I2a is preferably made of some wood, preferably hardwood, such as maple and the same is preferably cut across the fiber or grain of the Wood so that said grain extends transversely of the bar. Said bar is shown as being of somewhat greater rectangular cross sectional area at its bottom where it is secured between brackets I I, than at the portion above said brackets. In making the instrument the bar I2a is first shaped and then the wood is thoroughly dried. After the wood has been perfectly dried it is treated with some suitable chemical to fix the fiber of the wood or insure that the fiber will retain its natural structure.`

While Various chemicals may be used, in practice it has been found suitable to treat the wood with a solution of permanganate of potash. After the wood has been saturated with this solution it is again dried thoroughly, preferably with the application'of heat. After the bar is thus dried, the material I2b is placed thereon.

' the bar I2 and a metallic rod I4 is placed in this groove, which rod may also be glued in place. The rod I4 extends from the top to the bottom of bar I2a. When the layer of material I 2b has been applied to the bar and the same has dried thoroughly, the` bar can be secured in the brackets II. A member I5 of material forming a conductor for electricity, such as metal, is

secured to the upper end of' bar I2 and in. the embodiment of the invention illustrated said member is shown as a three-sided rectangular cap extending over the top and along the 'sides ofv said bar. A standard I 6 extends upward from base I0 close to the bar I2 and binding posts I1 and I8 are secured in said standard, the same having the outwardly extending adjustable pins Ila and I 8a split at their outer ends. Comparatively small screws, I'Ib and I8b extend transversely through the pins I'Ia and I8a respectively, the same having slotted heads and having pointed ends disposed closely adjacent the cap I5. A conductor I9 forming one side of one electric circuit is connected to the binding bost I'I and another binding post 20 may be.provided in some convenient location. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the binding post 20 is shown as carried in the lower portion of the post I2a. The binding post 20 will be connected by a slack conductor 2| to the cap I5 and a conductor 22 leading from binding post 20 will constitute the other side of said electric circuit. A second electric circuit is provided, and conductor 29 forms a part thereof and is connected to binding post IB. conductor 30 also connected to binding post 20 forms the other side ofthis second circuit.

In operation the device will be disposed in a room where it is desired to regulate the humidity. -The electric circuits comprising conductors I9, 22 and 29, 3U will include 'relays or solenoids which will be arranged to control the humidifier. The screws IIb and I8b will be adjusted so that at the desired degree of humidity The in the room cap I5 will be out of contact with said screws. Should the humidity decrease, moisture evaporates from the bar I2a and the same bends toward the right as shown in Fig. 1, thus bringing cap I5 into engagement with the screw IIb. This closes the electrical circuit comprising conductors I9 and 22 and more moisture or vapor will be discharged into thc atmosphere of the room. When bar I2 thus moves to the right, the material I2b is flexed and since it is secured to the bar along its length, it must stretch or increase in length longitudinally slightly. The material used for the layer I2b is of such a nature that this is readily permitted. As soon as the humidity reaches the desired degree, bar I2a will absorb moisture and the same will move toward the vertical, thus disengaging cap I5 from screw I'Ib. Should the humidity increase beyond the desired point the bar I2 will move to the left as shown in Fig. 1 and cap I5 will be brought into engagement with the screw IBb. This will close the electrical circuit comprising conduct-ors 29 and 30 and the control mechanism will act to stop the discharge of moisture into the room. The metallic rod Il l adds strength and firmness to the bar I2 and acts to stabilize the device. This bar renders it possible to locate thc position of bar I2 between the screws IIb and IBb so that it will flex in either direction with changes in humidity. The :l bar also acts to insure that positive make or break engagement will be made with one of the screws I`Ib and IIlb.l The rod tends to resist the flexing of the bar I2 and appears to permit the flexing in small jerks or increments. This causes :1 a good contact when screws IIb and I8b are engaged and makes a positive break when the bar flexes away from said screws. The treating of bar I2a with the chemical solution and the thorough drying of the bar which is done with 4 a high degree of heat, renders the cells of the wood quite dead and free from any natural moisture. After such treatment the wood is not greatly affected by changes in temperature and l the bottom of bar I2, which screw or post is in 5 engagement with rod I4. The conductor 21 can be secured between nuts 2B on binding post 25. It will be seen that the current from the screws IIb and lab will be conducted through rod Il to 6L the binding post 26 and the conductor 2| shown in Fig. l is thus unnecessary. Otherwise, the operation of'the form shown in Fig. 3 is the same as that already described.

The wood used can, of course, be varied, a

hard wood preferably, though not necessarily, 6

being used. The wood may be treated chemically by either immersing the same for a period of time in the solution at ordinary temperature,

or the solution may be heated. The treatment with the chemical solution has the effect of dry- 7 ing the wood and after the wood has been dried by heat after being treated, moisture readily evaporates from or leaves the wood when the humidity decreases. It will also be understood that other methods of sealing one side of the 7 wood member may be used. The purpose of the invention is to seal one side against moisture and arrest any action of the moisture on the y cells on this side, at the same time permitting flexing of the wood member due to themoisture changes.

Referring to Figs. 5 to 8, a device is shown comprising a casing 35 having an upper portion of octagonal shape and a lower substantially rectangular portion extending therefrom. Said octagonal portion of the casing has a front surface about which extends a circular raised rib 35a and said lower portion has a flat front surface disposed at a lower level than the front of said upper 0r octagonal portion. A side wall or flange 35h extends rearwardly from the front of the casing, the same flaring outwardly toward its free edge. Said side wall is provided with a plurality of slots or openings 35e providing free ventilation of air through said casing and said casing is preferably closed at its rear by a thin plate 36 secured to the flange 35h by a plurality of screws 31. Casing 35 has a lug 35d upstanding from its front wall in which is secured a screw 38 forming a post. An elongated member or strip 39 having the general structure of the member I2 already described has metal plates 49 secured thereto at its top and bottom and the screw 38 extends through said member` and plates. Member 39 is thus xed to the post 38 so as to be prevented from transverse bodily movement but can be moved about said ypost as a pivot. A small metallic rod 4I extends through strip 39 adjacent one side thereof. Said side is also covered with a strip of fabric 39a which will be made of leather or the coarse linen already described as comprising member 12b. Member 39 has a metal plate 42 secured to said side adjacent its lower end, said plate depending below said member. A screw 43 has one end threaded into the depending portion of platey 42 and is journaled in a lug 35e upstanding from the front of casing 35. Screw 43 has a slotted head at theouter side of lug 35e and has a collar 44 secured thereto engaging the inner side of said lug so that endwise movement of said-screw Ais prevented. Collar 44 can be secured in any suitable manner as by the pin 45 as shown. The head of screw 43 is in alinement with a hole 35g formed in one side of casing 35. Member or bar 39 is shown as tapered toward its upper end and another member 46 is provided made of the same material as member 39 or some material which will flex with the variations in humidity. Member 46 is secured to the upper end of member 39, a spacing block 41 being disposed between said members, the upper ends of said members being disposed in the same plane. Member 46 also has a strip of fabric 46a along its side remote from member 39, similar to fabric strip 39a. Member 46 is tapered toward its lower end and as shown in Fig. 6 the same extends downwardly alongside of and spaced from member 39. It will also be noted that it is reversely disposed to member 39 as to its flexing characteristics, the strip 46a. being at the side opposite member 39. A headed screw 49 extends through the upper ends of members 39 and 46 having a nut 49 thereon. An electrical conductor or wire 5|) extends from one end of screw 48, being secured beneath nut 49, to a screw 5I threaded into the lower portion of member 46 and securing thereto a metallic strip 52. Strip 52 is bent as shown in Fig. 6 and its lower end actsas an electrical contact adapted to engage and disengage the end ofY a screw 53 forming a cooperatingl contact, said latter screw extending through member 39 and through an opening 35f in casing 35 and being provided with an operating handle or wheel 53a at its outer end. A small plate 54 is secured to the side of member 39 by a suitable screw 55- and screw 53 is threaded in plate 54. It is obvious that screw 53 can be adjusted by turning wheel 53a and this adjustment can be made from without the casing 35. Another screw 56 is threaded into the member 39 and an electrical conductor or wire 51 extends from the screw 48 to screw 56. Another electrical conductor 58, shown as a covered wire, extends from screw 56 to an electrical socket 59 which is secured in the lower central portion of casing 35. Another electrical conductor 60, shown as a covered wire, is secured to screw 55 and also extends to socket 59. Conductors 58 and 60 are connected respectively to the electrodes of socket 59 which is adapted to receive a suitable plug having a cord to connect socket 59 with a suitable circuit.

The member 46 has secured to its upper end and projecting forwardly therefrom a pin 6I. This pin extends into a slot 62a formed in the upper end of a gear segment 6.2 oscillatable on a pin 63 having reduced portions seated in plates l64 and 65, which plates are spaced by a plurality of bushings 66 secured to plate 65, into which are threaded'screws 61. Plates 64 and 65 are thus secured together in rigid spaced parallel relation. The plate 65 is vertically movable in guide plates 68 having offset portions extending over the edges thereof and secured by rivets 69 to a plate 10. Plate 65 has a rearwardly extending lug 65a at its upper end into which is threaded the lower end of a screw 1I having a head engaging the upper outside surface of casing 35 and having pinned thereto a collar 12 engaging the inner surface of casing v35. Plate 10 is secured to the casing 35 by a plurality of screws 13. The casing 35 has a circular opening therein somewhat smaller in diameter than the rib 35a and a dial plate 14 is secured between plate 19 and the casing by screws 13, which dial plate is visible through said opening. The gear segment 62 meshes with a pinion 15 having a shaft portion disposed between plates 64 and 65 and having reduced portions forming trunnions The forward one of` washers 11 being disposed respectively at each side of said hand and the outer one being held in place by a pin 11a extending through said trunnion. A glass plate or crystal 18 is seated on the front of casing 35 within the rib 35a andV a ring 19 of trough-shape in cross section fits over the rib 35a and has its inner edge engaging the plate 18. Ring 19 is held in place by a pair of screws threaded into the rib 35a. The dial plate 14 will have certain indicia thereon indicating the degree of humidity as shown in Fig. 5.

In operation, casing 35 will be disposed in the room to be humidiiled and preferably secured to the wall. The member 39 will be set relatively to the gear segment 62 so that the hand 16 will register with the correct indicia on the dial plate 14. The plates 64 and 65 can be raised by screw 1l and this varies theposition of pin. 6I in slot 62a.- If pin 6l is at the top of said slot segment 62 will be moved farther by a certain flexing movement of strip 39 than if said pin is near the bottom of said slot. An accurate adjustment of the movement of hand 16 relative to the dial can thus be secured. Strip 39 and hand 16 can also be set at a desired point by turning screw 43. It will be seen that screw 43 is accessible from the outer side of the casing by inserting a screwdriver through the hole 35g. The socket 59 will be connected by a suitable plug with the circuitv controlling the humidifier. When the humidity decreases the upper end of member 39 fiexes to the left as seen in Fig. 6. This moves the upper end of segment 62 to the left swinging the gear portion thereof to the right and turning pinion l5 in a clockwise direction. This swings the hand 16 on the dial to indicate low humidity. When the humidity increases member 39 flexes to the right as seen in Fig. 6 and this correspondingly turns the hand in a counterclockwise direction as seen in said figure, turning the hand 'I6 to indicate increased humidity. The lower end of member 46 will flex to the left on an increase of humidity, thus breaking the engagement of members 52 and 53 and opening the control circuit for the humidifier. Upon a decrease in humidity member 46 flexes toward the right and the circuit would be correspondingly Vclosed to call for more moisture. Strip 52 is flexible and resilient and will yield if pressed against screw 53. Upon release of such pressure it will assume its proper position. The screw 53 can be adjusted from without the casing to give the desired degree of control between the contacts 52 and 53. A very sensitive control can be had by member 46.

It is thus seen that applicant has provided a simple and efficient humidostat which will both indicate the humidity in the room and will also control a circuit extending to the humidifying apparatus. The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and efficient. The adjustments provided can all be made from without the casing. The parts are quite few and the instrument needs little or no attention.

This application is a continuation, in part of and substitute for applicants copending application S. N. 464,031, for Humidostat, led June 26, 1930, and allowed July 24, 1933.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the apparatus and in the steps and sequence of steps of the method without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a method and apparatus capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, such as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is;-

1. A humidostat comprising an elongated member of wood, a Waterproof covering along one side thereof, and a small metallic rod extending lengthwise of said member.

2. 'Ihe structure set forth in claim 1, said rod being closely adjacent said waterproof covering.

3. A humidostat comprising an elongated member of wood having the grain lextending transversely thereof, a waterproof covering of sheet material along one side thereof, said covering consisting of a layer of fabric material secured by waterproof adhesive, said member being fixed at one portion and having a freely movable portion.

4. A member for a humidostat device comprising a piece of wood treated to render the cells thereof dead and immune to appreciable effect by temperature changes or decay and having one side sealed to protect it from moisture and arrest the fibre thereof on said side from motion due to moisture, another side being exposed so that the air has free access thereto, said piece having a fixed portion and a freely movable portion, whereby motion one way or the other of said free portion will Ibe caused by moisture changes in the air.

5. A member for a humidostat device comprising a piece of wood treated chemically to fix the fibre and cells thereof but leaving the cells open for access thereto of air, one side of said piece being sealed to keep the cells firmly together but permitting bending of said piece in opposite directions without displacement of said cells from their natural position, said chemical treatment also acting to dry said piece.

6. A humidostat member comprising a member of wood having the grain extending transversely thereof, treated chemically and -by heat to render it sensitive to moisture changes in the atmosphere and substantially insensitive to temperature changes, said member being sealed against moisture along one side and held frm movement at one portion, whereby it will flex with moisture changes in the atmosphere.

7. The method of making a humidity responsive member which consists in forming an elongated inember of wood, thoroughly drying said member, treating said member chemically to fix the fibers thereof so that the same will not deteriorate and so the same will be slightly affected by temperature changes, again thoroughly drying said member and then sealing one side of said member against moisture so that said member may fiex with moisture changes in the atmosphere.

8. The method of making a humidity responsive member which consists in forming an elongated member of hard wood with the grain extending transversely thereof, thoroughly drying said member, treating said member with permanganate of potash solution to fix the fiber thereof, again thoroughly drying said member, securing one or more layers of fabric material along one side of said member by means of waterproof adhesive and the application of heat and pressure.

9. A humidostat comprising a member formed of dried wood chemically treated to preserve the cellular structure and sealed against moisture along one side thereof,- said member being flxed at one portion and having a portion adapted to flex with moisture changes in the atmosphere.

10. A humidostat comprising an elongated member of wood, said member being sealed at one side against moisture, and a small metallic rod embedded in said member and extending lengthwise thereof.

11. The structure set forth in claim 10, said member being sealed at one side by having a layer of fabric material secured thereto by waterproof adhesive, said rod being disposed in said member closely adjacent said layer.

12. A humidostat comprising a non-metallic absorbent elongated member, a waterproof covering of flexible and extensible material attached along one side thereof, means holding one end of said member in fixed position, metallic means carried by the other end of said member, and a metallic rod extending lengthwise of said member. I

13. Ahumidostat comprising a non-metallic absorbentl elongated member,a waterproof covering of flexible and extensiblel sheet material attached along one side thereof, means holding one end of said member in fixed position, metallic means carried by the other end of said member, said metallic means being adapted tohave sidewise movement with the end of said member which supports said means, and a metallic rod extending lengthwise of said member.

14. A humidostat comprising an absorbent elongated member consisting of Wood having the grain extending transversely thereof, a Waterproof covering of flexible and extensible material attached along one side of said member, means rigidly supporting an end portion of said member in fixed position, metallic means carried by a portion of said member spaced from saidsupporting means,.said metallic means being adapted .to have sidewise movement with said member,

and a metallic rod extending lengthwise of said` member, said rod being closely adjacent said waterproof covering.

15. A humidostat having in combination, a casing, an elongated rectilinear member xed at one end to said casing and adapted to ex with variations in humidity, said member being movable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of its exure and disposed at said fixed end, an indicating means carried by said casing, means connecting said member and indieating means for actuating the latter and means accessible from without said casing to move said member about said axis to vary the initial position of said member.

16. A humidostat having in combination, a casing, a pivot post secured to said casing, an elongated member .mounted adjacent one end on said pivot post and swingable thereabout but fixed against bodily transverse movement and being adapted to ilex at its free end in accordance with humidity variations, a second similar elongated member rigidly secured at one end adiacent the free end of said rst mentioned member and extending alongside thereof in spaced relation thereto, an electric contact carried by the free end of said second member, an adjustable contact carried by said first mentioned member adapted to be engaged and disengaged by said rst mentioned' contact as said second member flexes, said adjustable contactv being adjustable from without said casing.

17. The structure set forth in claim 16, an indicating means carried by said casing and actuated by said first mentioned member in its exing movement. l

rst mentioned member.

`18. A humidostat having in combination, a. casing, an elongated rectilinear memberfxed adjacent one end in said casing and adapted to ex in accordance with humidity variations, a. dial having humidity indicia thereon, a hand actuated by said member cooperating with saiddial and means for varying the movement of said hand in response te a certain movement of said member. l

19. A humidostat having in combination, a casing, an elongated member fixed adjacent one end in said casing and adapted to 'ex in accordance with humidity variations, an indicating means'carried by said casing and actuated by said member in its flexing movement, means accessible from. Without the casing for changing the position of said member relative to said indicating means, a second elongated member secured at one end to said rst mentioned member adjacent the free end of the latter and extending alongside thereof in spaced relation thereto, a contact carried by the free end of said second member and a contact carried by said first mentioned member adjustable from without saidv casing adapted to be engaged and disengaged by said rst mentioned contact in the flexing movement of said second member.

20. A humidostat having in combination. a casing, an elongated rectilinear member ixed adiacent one end in said casing and adapted to ex in accordance with humidity' variations, contacts carried by said member controlling a circuit adapted to actuate a humidier, a dial, an

indicating pointer cooperating with said dial to indicate the degree of humidity, means connecting said membervand pointer, said member being movable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of its ilexure'and disposed at its n xed end and means accessible from without said casing to move said member about said axis to vary its initial position.

` 21. A numidostat device comprising an elan-h gated rectilinear member of material' adapted to absorb moisture, a layer of waterproof material along one side of said member, another elongated member secured to said member at one end and extending alongside thereof in spaced relation to the side opposite said layer and made of a material adapted to absorb moisture, said latter member having a layer of waterproof material secured thereto along its side remote from the side which is adjacent said y EvEN J. nom. 

